Trace element solution

The present invention relates to a trace element solution.

More particularly, the present invention relates to a trace element solution incorporating Zinc, Manganese, Copper and Selenium.

It has been found that there is a deficiency of certain trace elements in pastures for livestock in particular areas around the world. Various suggestions have been made to provide the required trace elements to such animals. Different chemical compounds and complexes have been investigated for applying the trace elements by way of licks, drenches or injections.

In general the problem with injectable solutions is that the concentrations of the minerals in the solutions is too low. This means that relatively large quantities have to be injected, which in turn causes tissue damage and also abscesses at the site of injection. Furthermore, it is generally the case that different trace elements seldomly are individually sufficient. This means that two or more trace element solutions have to be provided by way of separate injections.

ZA 1982/6778 (Laurie) discloses a trace element solution and a method of providing the trace elements to livestock. These trace element solutions include ethylene diamine tetra acetic acid complex of the required mineral in suitable quantities. However, the trace element solution includes no selenium or selenite compound.

In the specification and claims the expression EDTA refers to ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid (C 10 H 16 O 8 N 2 or (HO 2 CH 2 C) 2 NCH 2 CH 2 N—(CH 2 CO 2 H) 2 ).

U.S. Pat. No. 4,335,116 (Howard) discloses mineral-containing therapeutic compositions containing EDTA complexes of trace elements. Notably, U.S. Pat. No. 4,335,116 utilises tetra-sodium EDTA, a selenium glycine complex, and metal chlorides for the preparation of the EDTA complexes. Unfortunately, the chloride ions cause contamination and each complex solution has to be made individually. Furthermore, overnight time is required for complexing and heating up afterward to speed up the process, requiring extra apparatus. If mixtures are required, the individual solutions are to be blended. If various concentrations as well as compositions are to be made, it can only be done in a cumbersome way, requiring extra apparatus. A further problem arises when mixtures of high concentration are needed. In certain cases it would be impossible to deliver them, because mixing is always accompanied by dilution. The maximum concentration achieved with this method was 13.5 mg/ml.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,638,539 (Laurie et al) discloses a method of preparing a trace element solution, which includes the steps of providing at least one EDTA-complex, of providing a sodium selenite solution, and of combining the EDTA-complexes and the sodium selenite solution. However, the method enables production of a trace element solution of only about 55 mg/ml.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,285,292 (Laurie et al) discloses a trace element solution, which comprises at least one metal selected from the group comprising selenium, copper, zinc, manganese and chromium and which comprises a concentration of the metal(s) of at least 60 mg/ml. The solution further comprises at least one compound selected from the group comprising iodine, potassium iodide, sodium iodide, iron, iron chloride, zinc oxide, manganese sulphate, sodium selenite, copper carbonate, sodium carbonate, anhydrous disodium EDTA and sodium hydroxide. The trace element solution is prepared by a method consisting essentially of the steps of preparing a MnCO 3 mixture in a container; adding an EDTA/NaOH mixture to the container and subsequently adding at least one metal compound; and adding Na 2 SeO 3 to the container to obtain the trace element solution. The method also comprises the step of adding CrCl 3 .6H 2 O to the trace element solution.

Unfortunately the known methods do not always provide the ideal concentration requirements and ideal and required ratios and do not result in stable concentrations and trace element solutions. Also the known methods are difficult to process.

It is an object of the invention to suggest a trace element solution for overcoming these problems.

According to the invention, a trace element solution, comprises at least the following metals:

(a) at least 65 mg/ml zinc derived directly and/or indirectly from mineral EDTA chelate(s); (b) at least 10 mg/ml manganese derived directly and/or indirectly from mineral EDTA chelate(s); (c) at least 15 mg/ml copper derived directly and/or indirectly from mineral EDTA chelate(s); and (d) at least 5 mg/ml selenium.

Also according to the invention, a trace element solution, comprises at least the following metals:

(a) at least 65 mg/ml zinc derived directly and/or indirectly from ZN-EDTA and/or zinc oxide; (b) at least 10 mg/ml manganese derived directly and/or indirectly from Mn-EDTA and/or Mn carbonate; (c) at least 15 mg/ml copper derived directly and/or indirectly from Cu-EDTA and/or copper oxide and/or copper sulphate and/or copper carbonate; and (d) at least 5 mg/ml selenium derived from Na 2 SeO 4 and/or Na 2 SeO 3 .

The mineral EDTA chelates may be derived directly and/or indirectly from Zinc oxide, manganese carbonate, copper carbonate, copper sulphate, copper oxide, EDTA and/or sodium hydroxide.

The trace element solution may additionally comprise iodine.

The trace element solution may additional comprise 50 mg/ml iodine.

The iodine may be derived from potassium iodide.

The ratio of zinc to manganese may be at least 6.5:1.

The ratio of zinc to copper may be at least 4:1.

The ratio of zinc to selenium may be at least 13:1.

The concentration of the metals (excluding iodine) may be at least 95 mg/ml.

In addition to the aforementioned materials, the trace element solution may also be prepared with the addition of water, chlorocresol and/or benzyl alcohol.

The pH of the trace element solution may be adjusted by means of 30% NaOH.

The solution may be an injectable trace element solution.

The solution may be visually stable.

The invention also extends to a method of preparing a trace element solution as described herein.

The invention will now be described by way of an example of a trace element solution in accordance with the invention.

The example relates to a trace element solution predominantly to be used for cattle and includes the mineral elements zinc, manganese, selenium and copper.

According to the invention, a trace element solution, comprises the following metals:

(a) zinc directly and/or indirectly from mineral EDTA chelate(s); (b) manganese directly and/or indirectly from mineral EDTA chelate(s); (c) copper directly and/or indirectly from mineral EDTA chelate(s); and (d) selenium.

The trace element solution, comprises at least the following metals:

(a) at least 65 mg/ml zinc derived directly and/or indirectly from ZN-EDTA and/or zinc oxide; (b) at least 10 mg/ml manganese derived directly and/or indirectly from Mn-EDTA and/or Mn carbonate; (c) at least 15 mg/ml copper derived directly and/or indirectly from Cu-EDTA and/or copper oxide and/or copper sulphate and/or copper carbonate; and (d) at least 5 mg/ml selenium derived from Na 2 SeO 4 and/or Na 2 SeO 3 .

The trace element solution can additional comprise 50 mg/ml iodine.

The iodine is derived from potassium iodide.

The ratio of zinc to manganese is at least 6.5:1.

The ratio of zinc to copper is at least 4:1.

The ratio of zinc to selenium is at least 13:1.

The concentration of the metals (excluding iodine) is at least 95 mg/ml.

In addition to the aforementioned materials, the trace element solution is also be prepared with the addition of water, chlorocresol and/or benzyl alcohol.

The pH of the trace element solution is adjusted by means of 30% NaOH.

The solution can be an injectable trace element solution.

The solution is visually stable.

The mineral EDTA chelates can be derived directly and/or indirectly from Zinc oxide, manganese carbonate, copper carbonate, copper oxide, copper sulphate, EDTA and/or sodium hydroxide.

The invention also extends to a method of preparing a trace element solution as described herein.